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Home My WebLink Aboutdrug free schools coalition05f18f2008 09:07 5187354078 DZtUG FREE S~HOOES CQA~TTIUN ZU3 MAIN $~'. FLENiXI~TGTOI~T, NJ OS$~2 90$-z84-5080 fay. 908-78$-95U~4 FRUIVI: Llavid G_ Evans, Esp., Executive Director T0. BUTTE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Paul Cahn, Clu.e~Admirxistrative Officer and Clex~. pf the Board ~'ax: 5:3(1-,535-7120 PAGE 01 f 39 BU~'irr COL~7'Y t~~~'_ti =~ t ~aTiON MAY 2 3 201 -. ORQv1~I.E, CAI.If'ORNTA RE: Iv~.EI~ICAI., NIA~tIiJUAlVA BUSINESSES AND GRpWEItS IN BTJ~'TE CUUN'X''Y VIQLATE FEDERAL L,P~~' Date: 5123111 ~T'[JMBER OF PAGES Si~iCLU1~ING'~'HIS COVER PAGE: 39 MESSAGE: Based on the attached analysis pf fedezal law', it is clear that ~$utte Cowaty gpvernax~.e~t employees pr other persons such as physicians or "medical" marijuana dispensaries acting undez' the provisipns o£the Cali~oz~.iia "medical," marijuana law may be subject to federal prosecutzo~t tinder the federal Controlled Substances tact (CSA) and the state law its preempted ry ~e CsA. Dr~S 06!16/2008 09:07 5187354078 PAGE 02139 LEGAL N,[E~VX{~RANI~LTM QUESTION l~RESE~I1`ED: Wb~at ire the fedex~i, erim~iual an,d civil and othex liabilities of "medical" marij~.~na dispensaries aaad physicians, government euotployees, landlords and financiers who participate in airy way in tlae growing, Possession, manu£ac#ure, dis#rihutiaa, or sales o~ "AOtedical" marijuana u~.dex stu#e'~medzcal" marijuana laws" Working ~ - cammeats i~z~ited May X9, 2U11 0613.6/2008 09:07 5187354078 PAGE 03!39 TABLE UlF ~aNTE1rTTS ISSUE DNE THE corrFLICT BETWEEN STATE "MEDICAL" MAR~IUANA LAWS AND FEDERAL LAW .................. .................................:.. ................. ..............................................1 a. Recent I7OJ' lettexs make their position cleaz ...............................................................................1 b. The state "~crAec~ieal" marijuazia laws are pxeemFted by the CSA .................... .................... ........2 ISSUE TWO Tl~ k`EDERAL LAWS T~,T MAY' Al',FLY TO DISFENSARIES, CrOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, FHYSZCIANS, LANDLORDS AND FAN'ANGIERS~ .............................................3 a. Consequences of a violation o~'the CSA, .................. ................ .. ........... .4 b. Racketeer In#luenced and Corrapt Qrganizations Act (RICA) ............. .................................. ..4 c. Tlae ta~c consequences of trai~cking in "m:edical" znarijt~ana,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,4 d. Violations gfthe Federal Food, Drug, and Cosnxetic Act ...........................................................5 ISSUE TbT~tEE THE LIABILITY pI~ Di5PENSARIES, GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, PHYSICIANS, LANDLORDS AND F.IIVAN~C~ERS ........................................................................................5 a- Dispensaries .... ............... ................. ................................................. ..................................5 b. Crovexz~tnent employees .................................... ................................................................. ....5 - .. .. c. Are state or local, governmezzt employees immune from prosecutioza? .......................................5 d..l~ltysieians ....................................................................................................................................~ e. Medical 1V1a1Fractice .............................................................................................. ..............~ f. Propez~ly owners and landloxds ................................................................. ..........6 g. Financiers and banks ....... .............. ................. ................................................................7 CoNCLU~~a~r .............................:.......... ~oaT~roTES ............................................... ......................................................... ................ .s APPENDIX -LETTERS 0b/3.612008 09:07 518735407$ PAGE 04139 ISSUE OIV~ TT~E CU1VF~,~CT BETWE>~N STA~'~ "MEDICAL" MARIJU,A,I~TA LAV~VS .AND F~lrl~ft,A~.L LAW Based on an analysis of federal law, it is clear that "medical" marijuana dispensaries oz persons such, as physicians and government employees anal others acting under state "medical" marijuana laws r,~a~ be subject to pxasecutipn by the U.S. Government under the federal Controlled Substaxxces Act (CSA.) because the state "medical" marijuana laws axe preempted by the CSA. Congress ezracted the CSA for the purposes of can.solidatiz~,g various drng laws into a comprehensive statute, providing meaningful regulation over legitimate sources of drugs to prevent diversion into illegal channels, and strengthening law enforcement tools against international and itrterstate drug trafficlcirtg. 21 U.S.C. § 801 et seq. [FNl] a. Recent Dt7d fetters make #herr position clear O,n April 13, 201 1, the Goveztxor ofthe State of Washington sent a letter to the Attorney General of the United. States aslting hizzx fax the Department-of Justice's (DOJj opinion a~ legislation pending in Washington that would create "licensed dispensers" o~ "medical" ma~,juana who would deliver or retail sale marijuana tv a qualifying patient or designated provider ar~d "licensed processors" who would manufacture marijuana products for wholesale distribution to licensed dispensers. This is a dispensary system for "medical'' rr~arijuana sirnilax to the Direr in several states. The Craverr~ox of Wasbiurigtan also asked "whether skate employees in~valved in inspecting the premises, audi~xg the recoz~ds or collecting fees frpxrt the licensed dispensers, producers ax processors would be immuiae ~romE arrest or liability when engaged in the er-forcemEnt of this licensing lave" The US Attorney for 'Washington replied the next day and stated that the TJS Justice Department "could consider civil and crizx~ixxal legal remedies regarding those who set up marijuana grovviug facilities and dispensaries as they will be doing so in violation of federal law." Qthers wJao knowiyagly facility-te tJae actioas of the mat~juana growers „includiurtg property oumers, iaxxdloxds, and financiers should also know that their conduct violates federal lavv." In addzti~on, state employees who conduct activities mandated by the state ":lxtedical" marijuana lags "would rat be iz~arune frazrA liability" uzrder the federal Controlled Substance Act. Although; they maybe irninune under state lave, they would not be raider federal lave, D~J went onto say. "Potential actions the Department could consider include injunctive actions to prevent cultivation aid distribution of marijuana anal other associated violations of the CSA; cXViI fines; cxxxXiinal prosecution; azad the forfeiture of any property used to facilitate a violation of #lte CSA..A.s the Attozxzey General has repeatedly stated, the Department of Justice rerrxains firrrily committed to e;gfarcing tlZe CSA in all states." The Governor`s letter and the Department of Justice letter axe attached ixr the Apperzdix along with other letters froaa several U.S. Attozxxeys and ~e Attorney General afr Colorado. The letter -1- 06/1612008 09:07 5187354078 PAGE 0513) from the .A.ttoxaey General of Colorado who zeviewed some o£ the letters froz~a f3OJ' states: These letters indicate that while the department of Justice will xlot focus its li~nn.ited resources on seriously ill individuals who use marijuazaa as part of a medically rerommea~ded treatment xegir~aerc in compliance with state law, it does maint~irz its full authprity to vigorously enforce federal law agatust individuals azxd organizations that participate in unlawful manufactuziug and disttxbutxon activity involving marijuana, even i£ such activities are permitted under state Ia~v. Of great concern is the fact that some of the letters make clear the U.S. Attorneys do not consider state employees who conduct activities under state medical rnarijuaua Iaws to be izune from liability under federal law. b. '1`b~e state "medical" marijuana laws are preempted by the CS.A The United States Supreme Court has clearly upheld federal suprez~xaay when it car~aes to state laws ort "medical" ]~7.azijuana. In tk~,e case ofU.S_v. Oak a~ad Cannabis Buyer's Co-an, t~.e Court dealt its itxst blow to fire medical use of marijuana in a case involvirxg a California cooperative that distritbuted marijuanaw Tl~.e Oakland Cannabis Buyers` Cooperative was organized to distribute rnadjuana to qualified patients fox rx~edical purposes in the wake of Proposition 215, Calx£ozxzia's initiadve legalizing medical use of crude marijuana. The Court held that there is zAo medical necessity exception to the CSA's prohibitions on manufactuxi,~q,g and disxrlbuting marijuana. The CSA reflects a detezmination that marijuana has na medical benefits woztlxy of an exception,. Whereas othez drugs can be dispensed atzd prescribed for medical use (21 U_S.C. § 829) the same is not true fox marijuana, which has "na currently accepted medical use" at ail (2l U.S.G. § 811)• [b'lv~l In the case of Csonzales v. laic some users and growers of "medical" marijuana under t}~e California law claimed the CSA was unco~ustitutional as applied to them. The Supreme Court held that application of CSA provisions czizniarxalizing the manufacture, distribution, or passessiozz ofmarijuana for rnedicaJ. purposes was constitutional. Congress devzsed a closed regulatozy system making xt unlawful to manufacture, distribute, dispense, or possess any controlled suhstamCe except as authorized by the CSA. All controlled su}~stances axe classified into five schedules based on their accepted medical uses, their potential fox abuse, and their psychological and physitcal effects ozz. the body. Marijuana is classified as a Schedule Y substarACe, based on its higb potential £or abuse, no accepted medical use, and no accepted safety for use ix~ zedically supezvised treatment. [FN~3] Tn an Oregon state case regazding the state "medical" marijuar~e law, the Oregon Supreme Court also held that the state "medical" marijuana. law was preempted by the CSA.. 1/xnerald_S~eel ~'sbricators, Inc.. v_ Bureau of Lobar and Industries. 234 l',3d 518 (Ol:, 2Q10) -2- 06/16f2@@8 @9:@7 5187354@78 PAGE @6139 ISSUE TVVQ THE ~'EI)EI.tAL L,A,WS ~'~IAT M..4.X .APPLY TCl ~ISFENSA,I2TES, G~UVERNMEN7,' EMPLOYEES, >PHYSIC~ANS, LAI~.IILQ~US AND k'~TANCTERS Because the provisiozts of the stafie "medical" marijuana iav,~s that authorize the possession, use, cultivation and distribution of marijuana are preempted by the CSA, those dispensaries, gover~ux~ent employees, physicians, landlords amcl financiers wkta act pursuant to the state laws are at risk of violating federal laws. [F1~4] This includes, but is not limited to: 1.. zt is illegal to manufacture, distribute, or possess with intent to distribute any CantrollEd substance including marijuana. 21 U.S.C. § 841 2. Tt is unlavv£ul to use any communication facility tc~ commit felv:ay vialatior~s of the CSA. 21 U.S.C. § 843 3. It is illegal to conspire to commit a;ay of the crimes set forth in the CSA. 21 U.S.C. § 846 4. Tt is unlawful to knowingly open, lease, rent, maintain, or use property fax the nrtanufacturing, stariz~, or distrihutaan of coratralled substat~,ces. 21 U.S.C. § 856 5. It is unlawful to distribute or n~atyufacture contro0,eC1. substances within 1,OOQ feet of schools, colleges, playgrounds, aid public hqus facilities, and within l00 feet of any youth centers, public swinuning pools, and video arcade facilities. 2l U.S.C. § 860. 'T`here are enJxanced penal~.es for dist~,buting to auyone under the age of 2l. 21 U.S.C. § 859. 6. There are federal anti-rnaney laundering statutes that make illegal certain financial transactions designed to promote illegal activities, ineludinig drug traf#icl€ing, or to conceal oz disguise the source of the proceeds of that illegal activity. 18 U.S.C. § 195G said J.957 7. Tt is possible that there maybe prosecutions for aidizzg yr abetting or assistaaag in the violation of a federal law. "Whoever cox~,zzuts an offense agaixist the United States ax aids, abets, counsels, commands, induces or procures its COmmissiarA, is punishable as a principal." l8 U.S.C. ~§ 2, 3 8. Since wialatioxrs a£the CSA, can be federal felonies, anyone having knowledge of the actual ca~nmi.ssion of a federal felony cannot conceal it and must report ifi as saozz as possible to a federal judge ax other pexsaxi in civil or military authority uader the United States. l8 U.S.C. § 4 9. They may also be charged ~uvith a conspiracy when twp ax mare persons conspire to commit any o££ense agaiusfi the United States. 1$ U.S.C. § 371 ,.3_ 06116!2008 09:07 51$7354078 PACE 07/39 a. Cc-~usegrxences a~' a vlalatinn a~ the CSA Potential actions the Department of Justice could consxdez include civil injunctive actions to prevent cultivation and distribution of marijuana, civil fines, criminal prosecutipn and prison sentences. 21 U.S.C. § 844{a). Where cart alsp be the forfeiture of all property used or intended fox use in cannecix4n with dnig #raffi.cking, including, bnt ~.ot limited to, real property, motor vehicles, funds, as well as books, records, and research. 2l U.S.C. § 881. b. Racketeer Xnfluenced az~d Car,upt Organizatxaxrs Act (RICA) The DOJ' ruay initiate criminal ProcEedings under the Racketeer Irtfiueneed attd Corrupt Qrganizations Act {RICO). I$ U.S.C. §],962. See ~J~ted States v. Hocking, 860 k'.2d 769 {7th Cir. 1388)("governmental ox public entities fit within, the definitioxi of'enterprise' far Purposes of RICO"). Ali property constituting or derived from, directly ar indirectly, the proceeds of racketeering activities is subject to forfeiture regardless of any provision of state lavr. I $ U.S.C. § 1963[x) The RICO statute also gives rise to a civil cause of action which maybe bxot~ght by a Private citizen injured by the racketeering activity where such activity proximately caused the ~xjury. i 8 U.S.C. § 196 c. The t$x eo~asegttenees of trs~fickiag in "medicaX" uaa~rijua~aa Traffickisag iz~. "medical" marijuana has negative tax cans~nences eveta if the sale of zxi,arijaana is legal under a State "anedzcal" marija law. The hxternal Revenue Code States: No dedtxctivr~ or credit shall be allowed far any amount Paid or incurred during the taxable year im carrying ov. axty trade oz business i£ such trade v~' business (or the activities 'uvhich comprise such trade oz business) consists o£ trafficking zu controlled substances (within the ~eanu]g of schedule X at~d lZ of the ContzollEd Substs~ces Act) which is Prohibited by Federal law or the law of aoy State in which such tz'ade or business is conducted. 6 U.S.C. § 280E {expez~.ditures in connection with the illegal sale of drugs). 1blarijuana is a schedule Z controlled substance for tax purposes, even if it is "medical" marij~aa recomme~,ded by a physician.l'ro'visio~a of medical rtaarijuana coatstitutes "traf~fiickir~g" within. the meanixcg"ofthe Intez~al Revenue Code section disallowing business ezt.se deductions for expenditures "in connection, with the illegal sale of drugs," even. though the activity was pursuat~,t to a state Statute. C - arni,ans HeX in to Al eviate Med'cal Proble Inc. v. Commissioner of hiternal Revenue, 128 T.C. 173, 93 TCM 3973 {200 Internal Revenue Service {IRS) audits of dispensaries have begun. [F1~I5] -4- 06116f2008 09:07 5187354078 PAGE 08!89 d. Violations of tlae Fecie ~`ood, Ilrug, aauci Cosmetxa .A,et Medical marijuana inhalers, bongs, pipes, containers and other drug paraphernalia axe advertis«i fnr "medical" marijuarxa. This now makes drag paraphernalia into medical devices faz the delivery a~F a znerlical drug. Medical devices are~sttXCtly regulated by the federal, k'ood and ~zug Administxatian (FDA}. ~ order fora "bong" or marijuana smokzng pipe or othez such device to be used it will lave to be approved as a medzral device by the FDA. It will also have to be prapexly labeled undez~ federal law. [FNd] IfSSUE T]Ei~EI~ T~ L][ABxLX'lt'Y OF DitSFLNSAItC~S, GOVERNIV.I.EN')<' E117PLaYEFS, PHYSICI{.A1~S, LANDLORDS AND FIvNANC~.~RS a. Dispensaries As all the letters from the U.S. Attaxneys indicate, "medical" paarijuana dispensaries that se11, grow and distribute marijuana will be prosecuted a~ad have their assets seized. A nuynbex of enforcement actions axe ~ progress in Califarnza, Michigan, Montana, and Washington. fFN7] b. Governmetxt employees 'I$e state "medical" marijuana laws may provide for govezx~ment employees to do the following actions that nnay put them in ~vialation of the CS.A: 1. Issue "medical" marijuana patient ID cards to qualifying patients ax caregivers so they can receive and use marijuana. 2. Mairtair~ a confidential list of the persons to wlto~gn it has issued "medical" marijuana identifxcation,eards that cannat be turned aver to law enforcenicnt agencies (including fexleral law enforcement} unless to verify that a person who is engaged in the suspected medical use ai;' marijuana is lawfully in possession of a card. however, government exnplayees and represezxtatives eannat obey both the 18 U.S.C. § 4 obligation to report federal felozries and the state law confidentiality obligations. This will cause them to violate either state or federal laws. See, County of San Diego v. San Diego NURML,~l55 Cal App.4tlx 798, $1 Ca1.Rptr.3d 451 (2005}(CSA preempts state laws that pa$itively conflict so that simuktaneous compliance with both sets of laws is irnpassible). See, 21 U.S.C. § 903. 3. Regulate and inspect ar support marijuana dispensaries and growing operations. If govemrnerzt employees ate involved zn affirmative actions to protect, facilitate or avezsee the manufacture, distribution, and use of marijuana, they are in direct violation, of federal law. 18 U.S.C. ~ 4 c. Axe state ar .local. governmen# employees xmaau~une from prosecution.? The case of U.S. v. Rosenthal, 454 F.3d 943 (CA 9 2006) dealt with the issue of gran~.ng -5- 06!16!2008 09:07 5187354078 PRGE 09/39 hxxmunity frozza federal narcotics lave to aiay duly authorized officex of a political subdivision of ~ state. The court referred to 2l U.S.C. § 885(d) that states, aarx full: Except as pzovided in sections 2234 abd 2235 of ~'itle l8[relat;~xcg to illegal pxocuremezzt and execution of search waXxants], na civil or criminal liability shall be imposed by virtue o:f this subchapter upon any duly authorized Federal officer lawfully engaged itx the ex~faxccment of this subchapter, or upon any duly authorized affaeer of any State, territory, political subdivisian thezeof, the District of Columbia, or any possession of~the United States, who shaft be lawfully engaged im the enforcement of ar~y law or municipal ardirance relating to controlled substances. ltosenth 454 F.3d at 948 However, for an af6ciai to be "la~,vfully engaged" in the ezlfoxcement of a law relating to controlled substances, arxd therefore entitled to pratee~ion under statute creating irn~nunity fZOm federal narcatxcs laws, the law that the official is ezifoxciuag must itself be consistent with federal Iaw and the state "medical" zaaarijuana. lays are not. United States v. Rosenthal 26~ F.Supp.2d 106$, 1078 (ND CA 2003). lmmurtit~+ then does not apply. (~,. l?~ySlCiaiY3 Under sozxa.e state "rr~edical" marijuana laws, plysicians slxall provide written ins~tctions fox a registered qualifying patient ar k~zs caregiver to present to a dispensary concexnixcg the fatal amou~xt of usable marijuana that a patient maybe dispensed. This is far xa:ore thazx just a physician discussing with a patient the use of medical marijuana which maybe protected by the First Amendmezzt of the Constitution. This is taking an action to facilitate tlae use of marijuana. These actions lay a physicians violate federal law by aiding and abetting by acting with specific intent to provide the patient with the means to Acquire marijuana ?mowing that the patier~.t intends to actluixe zxzarijuana. Co~aant v. Walters 309 F.3d 629 (CA. 9 2002); cert denied Walters v. Want, S40 U.S_ 946 (U.S. Qct 14, 2003) Enforcement actions against physicians have begun. [FN8] e. iV.[edical malpractice ,A. doctor may still be civilly liable to his patient, or a third Party, for the adverse consequences of reconunerading marijuana_ .A, physician who assists a patient to obtain maz7.juana may face a professional negligence claim for xec~ommending a drug fox wlaiah n,a standard of case has been adapted arxd which has an unknown. likelihood of future harm and for which fife federal Food and I3rug Adrninistratian has declared that "na sound scientific studies supported medical use of marijuana for treatment in the United States, and no axzimai or htwsan data supported the safety ax efficacy of marijuana for general nxedical use" ~FN9] ~x©perty ©~wmers and laaudtards The letters from the U.S, Attorneys make it clear that property awriers and landlords who rent ox provide a location far "medical" marijuana dispensaries axe subject to prasecutiox~. It is unlawful -6- @6116!2@@8 @9:@7 518754078 PAGE 1@/39 #o knowingly ppen, lease, Went, mai~-ta;itz, or use property fox tkie manufacturing, staring, or distribution ofcpntrolled substances. 21 U.S.C. § $Sb g. Financiers and battles Tlxose tivho provide financing fox "medical" zuarijuana operations may be subject to prosecutipn. For example, federal anti-~pn.ey launderir~.g statutes make it illegal to engage in firkex~.cial tra3asactions designed to pro~pte illegal activities, includiuc~ drug ~af~iclciz~, or to conceal or disguise the sauxce ofthe proceeds of that illegal activity. 18 U.S.C.§1955 and 1957 C'ONC~~CTIUN Anyone ~vho participates ire the gro~+ing, possession, zx~anufacturiz~g, distribudvzt, or sales v£ "medical" marijuana. utzder state la~rr p7e aids or facilitates or finamces such actions is at risk of federal prpsecution or ether liability. About the author: David G. !;vans has written two ar~tcus briefs fpr the U.S. Supreme Court iu tl~.e "mediae!." zn.arijuana cases ofU.S. v. pakland Cannabis l~u err' Co-o ., 532 U.S. 483 (2001}, see 2001 WL 30659 and Gonzales v. l~aich. 54S U.S. ] (2005), see 2004 WL 1543964. He is also th,e anther of The Facts .A.bout °`Medaical" Marijuana that is available upon request. This opi.~xipn is endorsed by Ter~rez~Ge Farley, esq., who sewed as Director of the National Drug Prosecu#io~ Center at the ~lational Axstrict Attoriq~ey's Association and ids ~e Director of the view Jersey Division of Crimunal Justice in Goverxipx Whitman's administration. ~7- 06116f2008 09:07 5187354078 PACE 11139 FOO"I~OTES [FN1] ,A. legal mezrzorandutn by David Ogden, Deputy U.S. ,A,ttvrney C~euexal, dated Qctaber 19, 2009, caused some confusion. It stated tlZat as a genexal matter, puxsuit ofinedical marijuana. pxasecutions should not focus federal resvuxces in states on seriously ill individuals who axe ussxxg "medical" zxtarijuana, whose actions aze in clear a~,d unambiguous compliance with existing sta.#e Iaws pravidi~ng far the rt7~eaxcal use of ma~ajuana. However, he also clearly stated that this guidance did riot provide a legal defense to violations o£ federal law nox does clear and uraambiguous com~piiance with state Iaw cxeate a Iegal defense to a violation of the Controlled Sobstazxces Act. Fax example he left open the option of prosecuting anyone who grows or distributes marijuana such as "znedzcal" marijuana dispensaries. Haweve~r, the me~Qxandom was widely aazsinterpretcd by the "medical" marijuana growers asad distribntaxs that they would be irrttZ7~~tn,e to federal pmseCUtion as long as they complied witk~ state law. They were wrong. The mempxandutn did zaot preclude iurrvestigatian and prosecution of them. LTnzted States v. Stacy 696 F. Supp. 2d 1X41 (S.D. CaI.2010) . [k~IV2] U.S. v. Qalcland Canxxabis Hovers' Co-op., S32 U.S. 483 (2001}; U.S. v. Oakland Ca~xz~abis Buyers' Cooperative. 190 F 3d. 1109 (9th Cir. 1999}, rev'd, 532 U.S. 483 {2001); see also, A zax~ee far Capuuabis Thera eutics v. ErRforee ent A ., 15 F'.3d 1131 {D.C. Cir. 1994); a ' 1 Or an' 'ozx for Refo of Mari"nano Laws pRML v. Diu Enfo merit A,dmiinistration U. S. De t. of Jos 'ce, 559 F.2d 735 {D.C. Cir. 197; National pr . for the Rearm of ari'uana Laws v. Diu H oxcernent drain. & e t. of He Educa ' Welfare. No. 79-I660 (D.C. Cir. pct. 1b, 1980); Natioxxal Or '~.tian for e£axm of ari"nano Laws (NpRMLI v. fugersoll, 497 F.Zd 654 (D.C. Cix. 1.974). Far a full discussion of the ``medical" zaaarijuana issue see: Sections 1:8 to 1.:15 of mug Testing Law Tec ola and 'ce published by the West Iaw baol~. company There is an implied cause of action in the Supremacy Clause for a pt'eexnptioa claim. See Eur iq & Cain fe ~ce, Inc. v. New York State Dept of Labor, 107 k'.3d 1001?, 1p06-07 {2d Cir. 199' (discussiog ERISA preempuozt}; wri t lec. Inc. v. Zvlinnesata State Bd. of Elec. 322 F.3d 1025, 1028 (Sth Cir. 2003) (same). Federal Courts have :~deral question jurisdiction over preercxptian claims utxder 28 U.S.C. § 1331. Verizon Iv1d. Xnc. v. Fub. Sere. Cornet' 535 U,S. 635, 643 (2002) [FN3] G41esv.,,Raich, 545 U.S. 1 (ZOOS); See, 21 U.S.G. ~ s41(a}(1}, s44(a}; 21 U.S.C. § 812; 21 U.s.C. § 811, 812; 21 u.s.C. § 81Z; 21 U.S.C. ~ 812{b}(I) [FN4] See. Letter of John F. Walsh, UAUited States .A.ttorney District of Colorado, to Jahn Bothers A.ttoxney Cez~exal State o£Golarado dated Apri126, 2011; Letter from Jexmy .A~. Durkan., US Attorney fax the Western District of'~ashingtan atad Michael G. prnssby US Attozxxey Eastf;rn. District of ~?4Tasl~ington to the Governor of Washingtata Christine ~egaire, dated April 14, 201 l axrd tke other letters in the Appendix. .g.. 06!16!2008 09:07 x187354978 PAGE 12/39 ~~~ Medical lVlaz~ijuana Busiz~.esses Targeted By 1R5 http://~wvw.huftingtanpost,com/20I1/03/1$lmedical-znarijuaa~.a-busines 0 ~ ~37519.htr~.1 SRS Opens 1~udit of Denver Medical-Marijuana Dispensazy", The Denver Past, 4/2612411. http:ll~,vww.dez~ve~ast.coz~a/mewslmarijuax~afci_X 7927752 IRS Targets Medical, lVlarijuana Businesses." March 1$, 20 Z l . http:llcol4:Cddaindependent.carnl7~ 820/irs-targets-medical-rrxarijuaua- busincsses?utm campa;ign~ittez~utin_medium=-twitter&u~_source=twitter (last accessed oz~ April 1~-, 2011) „Medical Marijuana xaa~ Problems?„ March 23, 2011. http://blogs.£oz'bes.com/rabez~twoocU2Q11/43/23/meditcal-marijua~ct-fia~-probleznsl (last accessed o~.,A~pril l4, 2011) [k'lv6) 21 CFR 84X.5 (Medical Devices - labeling -Adequate direcda~s far use means directions under which -the layrn.au can use a device safely and for the purposes for which it is iuntended. This includes quantity of dose, frequency of administratxo~a oz application, duration of adr,~%nistration. oz' application, time of ad~izJ<istration oz application., in relation. to time of meals, time o~ onset of syx~ptams, or other time factors, route oar method of admiuistratiaz~ or application, preparation for use, i.e., adjustment o~teznperature, oz~ other marAipulatian or process. See also: 21 CFR8(}3.3 (Medical Device Repozrtitxg); 21 CFR $47.93 (Pre;naarlcet Noti~,cadon Procedures); 21 CFR $48.3 (Medical bewice Classi~ica#v~a); 21 Cb'R 854.7 (Determinafion. of safety anal e£~'ectiveness includes the canditions of use for the device, the probable benefit to health from the use of the device weighed agaiztst any probable i~ajury or illness from such use and the ;reliability o~ the device azxd there is reasarxable assurance that a device xs safe when it Gan be detezznined, based. upon valid scientific e~vi.dence). [FN7] See, e.g.: It xs estimated that there Dave been 100 °`medical" maz~juana raids during the Obama admird.stration. http://ww~v.mj3~usiz~essreport.cozb/wires/artzcle,cfm?title=l~1'ew-Jtrsey-Letter-US-,Attorney&xd k yjb££xaipjgeoz Maichxgan - Dispex~usanes http_//www.zeuters.corza/article/2Qi 1/0~/13/us-laaedical-marijuana idUSTRE73C5~7,AZ01104X3 -9- 06f16f2008 09:07 5187354078 PAGE 13f39 California - Iispensaries http: //~vvww.t~ieatlanticwirs.corn/natianall2011 /03/medi.cal-marijuana/35878/ Montana -Dispensaries http://billingsga~ette.cominews/lacal/article_O1 f9d21 f-b862-5aeS-bd48- 7b 17723d869d.kttml?oCampaxgzx~hottapxcs Wasliiugtgton - Dispensaries http;//rvww.kxiy.coin.Inews127708933/detaiJ..~ttml ~'~7$j Michigan dactar jailed. hitp:l/www,n~.live.conr~/ne~vvsfsagi~~w/7ndex.ss£/2011/04/federal ageots~ail_michigaz~ d.ht~nl [~9] v~ww.Ada.gaolbhsltapzcslNEW'S12006/NE'S~01362.htrnl FDA STATEMENT - INTEl~ AGENC'St' ADVISOIt"Y REC'rA.RDTNG CLAIMS THA`f SMOKED IVI.Axi.I7UANA 1S ,A MEDIC Claitns have been. advanced asserting srnolced marijuana has a value in treating various medical condi#iazas_ Same have azgued that herbal marijuana is a safe azAd effective zx~edication az~d that it slxould be t:nade available to people who suffer from a number of ailnxcnts upon a doctor's recoznmendaiaon, even though it is not an approved drug. lviarijuana is listed in schedule 1 of the Controlled Substaaaces Act (CS,A.), the most restrictive scbeduie. 'l'lte Drug l/ztforcement Administration (DEA), which administers the CSA, coxwtinues to support that placement and l~ DA concurred because marijuana met the three criteria, fox placement in Soktedule Z undo 21 USC $l2(b)(1) (e.g., marijuana has a high potential ;for abuse, has no currezatly accepted medical use in treafirnent in the United States, and has a laclz of accepted safety for use under azedical supezvisian}. l~ uzthermaxe, thrre is currezttly sound evidence that saxiolCed rr~arijuana is har[zxfui. A past evaluation by several Departiment of Health anti Huu~azz Services (HI-IS) ageneits, includiutg the Faod and Drug Ad~7t,inisttatian (FDA), Substaagee Abuse a~ad Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) aztd National Institute for Drug Abuse (N>DA,), concluded that na sound scientific studies supported medical use of rnazijuana for treafirnent in the United States, and no az~izz~;al or hunaaz~ data supported the safety or e~caey of marijuana fax general xncdical use. TkKCre are alternative FDA,-approved medications izx existence foz treatment of many of the proposed uses of smoked marijuana. FDA is the sale Federal agency that approves drug products as safe and effective far untended indications. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosr~xatic (FDBtC) Act requires that new drugs be spawn to be safe and effective for their intended use before bei;ug rnaxketed ~ this cou;gtry. FDA's drug approval process requires octal]-coz~tzolled clinical #xials that provide the z~eaess~.ty sciez~tiFxc data upozt valaich FDA rnalces its approval az~d labeling decisions, If a drug product is to be marlteted, discipliuned, systezz~atic, soientifically conducted trxal5 are the best means to obtain data to ensuze that drug is safe aztd effective when used as indicated. Efforts ths# seek to bypass the FDA drag approval process tKrould not serve the interests of public health because they might expose patients to unsa.£a and ine~'ective drug products. iF'DA has not approved smoked marijuana far azxy conditiazz ax disease a~adicatinn. -10- 0611612008 09:07 518?354078 PAGE 14139 A growing number of states have passed voter referenda (ax legislative actions) rnalEizig smoked marijuana available for a variety of medical coxtditions aeon a doctor's recoix~mendation_ 'l'l~iese measures are irzcaztsistent with e#forts to ensure that medications undergo the rigorous scieriti~ic scrut:iriy of the FD,A approvai process and are proven safe and effective antler the standards of the F'D&C Act. Accordingly, FDA, as the federal agency responsible far reviewixig the safety and efficacy o~ drugs, DEA as the federal agency charged with enforcing t17e CSA,, axad the mice of Natiarxal Drug Control policy, as the federal coazdinator of drug cau'rrol policy, da ziot support the use of smoked ~axarijuana for znediaal purposes. -~ 1- 06/1612008 09:07 htAY-19~~~1 z plOrl. F8z'le ~,.. Mc~om~i4l~ mStI1.C ~ta[C `vCfiB~~ ~ ~Q State f'~(}IIS~ St~,ti4A ~rr~s~ ~~~3~oiao -w~.~..~,.~,a.,~xcwk v71 oitJeri:C Uni~Ced Srr~res Acv 1?~.rrtiGl of Maim PAGE 15!89 F, @1 140M;dd1¢s~r~er {aU7) ~a(w1s1 G"Flaat. Fuse a mvPr 77'Y (3a7J ?n~3nGQ Par~le~d, ddE Qs101 Fr~c (Z~) 7,iQ•3.Crf +'rbi~??r ~3.~~~,~~X~ r lay. NiereclEih ~. ~trar;~ Burgess ~~~ xou~ a~'Repressnt~uves Aug Tv~ ~~.~~~~~ ~~ Dear Senaxar IvicC:orrnick a+,d Representati~re Stag Burgess: I arty ~~ receipt of yot~ leioe~ irscl~ring wk~ether t~s aff~e has ca~etri5 aba~t legisiat:•.eaf~ i4 $~i2Clld I~la~inC's MediC•al I~a~jua.~a Pict {.M1~2.4) rlvs~.- P~d~ ~~ Ehe I25~' ~.elat_iu~ ~acl your Comrr~.taee an ~Iealth and ~•fuR-as~ Services. I write to exisefre that them is no confi~sic~n regarciin~ the LTtfft~d States Il~ent Of ~~tstiee's ~ricw an such legislati.YC~pzbposa,is. C{Te caft neither eadarse nor cnmsae~ en t~ specifics o~`rbe I+~1'A ar ~e proposed arneadmenEs other than to advise you'those• activities by users tputaea#s~, C3t~g~v'eT5 aiad disg~rFSaries zCmain illegal ~ftftler t~se ~ederai Cata~oiie~ Suhc~s A.ct a;CSA). 'phis office has consulted with lead~hip atffces widt~ tie I)epartruertt of ~~a~ice ifj sssure xhaz our response IS corrsistez~ vv~ith xepEies ofUraited 5~~s Ar[ofne}+s i}ti other tlxstticts_ Congress has determined that maxz~uarxa is a co~.t~olled s~tce and Itas pl~cd mariju~a in.Schedu~c I ofthe CSE1.. As s~ich, grQxvi~g, distribu and possess~g ~nari,~uana in ~Y ~P~~'. o~~' ~,azz as part of a federa#,iy au~onzed t'esearch progrartt, is a vfolat~afx crf federa# law regard{ecs o~state laws pe~gxt such activities, Tlie prosecution. of inditri~uaLs and orga~za~tms ~tolved in the ode nhuny ii1~a! anr~s and the dis~uptiarf Of cffv~ trafficking orizat~af~s are care pt;;c~rities a~'the l~pa~c~zi. `this p~.ority inc3udes pTaSccutian ofiadividuals and en~teiprtse~ tha# tm}awfuliy Culrivate and ;~}# r~arij~aana Accordengty, whi#t 1;ho D~parfat~nt does not ~'ocas i~1s Iirnited ~resawrres vn seripus#} iii individ~rals wlxc~ tale rt~rijuasta, as psrt ofa medically rcca~zrr~c~ded treat~xfcfat sei~ in cvtx~pllance wig stag Law as sated ~ the C}ceo3~ ~~} ll~marandum ley then Dep,~y Attorney General David Ogder~ ~,vc wili enforce t:~ie CSA;''igarat~slY s> individuaFs and c+r~,niEaF:uns 5187354078 E {. ~.'l ~ `; w~~~ 0611612008 09:07 5187354078 I~Y~18-~11 f4~14 May i b, ~Q 11 Han. merle ]~. Nt~cCoFmic~ Han. M~*edi~ ?~i. Stia.Q.g Btitr~~ss l'a~e 2 P. E1 PAGE 16139 oche tint in uala`czl rrart~tfactt~rinb aid di;ti~b~tiop aa'dvity Envt~fwin; rr:arija, eve, if ~ ~e ,~et~».itl. under st~.te Iaw. The D~,~ne~az'S inve5ti~af~Y~ and prasecutoz~a( resa~ces wlIl ca~tttnue to be directed toward these ab~ectiues. le is u+elf set4:led €~tat na staJe tai an~horize v:ola#oas pf1`eClel~l faw. Claua~s a£ cQrnpfiacee wi#h ~sTa~ or Iac~l law Tgay mash o~o~ ~nconsistez~ with the teams, eoncllt7ons 4s' p~trpases of thou €e.~eral ~x~s. Co~sisfienC tivitl~ federai Is:rrw} the ikpart~~errt maah~t~s See autlto ci viI aetiQns four and CAA vY~ilatiuns ~etiev .._ ~,.,. ~ ptus[te cri~i.aal_p~ warranted. ~ tticludes ~'` ~ is ~~~ that sr~ch lei action is• bi3t ZS nat Ilmlted ti3, +'Ut]S regard~ttg The IiXam~ac€t~ a or gassession with intent tc~~ distrfbutp any contrarfed sltbsta7tte ir~chz€12n m ~~°° dsszribctian, conduct to Iaxo~Y aP~ Imo, rent, mainta~ or r~:se to ~ ~, as well as or distn`b~ori o€'canixcatled ~s• g l~ fox tl]e anan~fae~r ~OI7~1~, forth zn the CSA. Federal money lsundexi~~ a~.d~ ec~ stara.~tes, twi~~h b t a vgri C~~s 5~ different types of:~nara~ai act~wftY invaIvl~g ~e maveme~'t o~'dr~ proceeds, utilFZed `l"he governmezz't may also put'stte civil ittjw~ci~~iras, ar:d torfei~te a~Y iikewiss tie proPcrfp traceable to svc~ proceeds, aztd pmperty used to f~ilitat.C d~x~ ` Aroae~~ds, ~,'VJOl2~{3775. The Depar~e~xt is cc>ncern4d aba~xt rat efforts tQ aritetTd Maine's Medical M~]uiuta Actr as the legislaf~oa involves eondt,,ct contras to federal law ~d go~va-~nr~ent's efforts ~to regulate ronTr4lled su135taBOes, a'~s the federal tirtnly comr{zitted cQ e~arc' Ehe ~ ~'e ~epan~enr ofJ~cc neinairts ~ C~~ an aIt states, any decision to pursue civil 4r crime reme~es will be made R11 a case I?y case b~is tad using rlae prosccutprlal di5cretip,~ ~ ire this o~ct. ~ hope this lett~x p~`ovicles cl~~catio~ cad assists the State ofMaine tci make informed de~i~ons regarding legislative e~prts 4n the sub}ect ofazedicaf marijuana. Keay ~~zly ~p~, T~Dl~,r cc: ~Villiarn J. ~ehneider, AtT4raey Cet;e~al ~,ue tJr~tan . --~ ~t mamas E_ UeIahanty II f 1~ t;~ f UniTecl Mates ,A.trpmey 06116/2008 09:07 5187354078 Will H3nnbie ~ . Director . Arixvxu~ l~partaaeazt of TXealth Services ~ Stl bi. l $tb Avenue PIZOe~, Arizcrpa SS©07 J.S. bePartmemt of Jnsi~ce United States Arrarney District Of Aria.~na Fwo Renaissaorae 5qum~s ~ ~ , 40 North Cetriral A1~ereate, Suite 7200 Phaalti~ f~(ru0ria $SOp9-4408 PAGE 17139 Mai,L (6oz) 3I4-7500 Main F.4~• (b~2) 3.i4-7~f93 May2, 2Al 1 ,Re:.4rizona Medical Mmluaruz Program Rear Mr. Humble: S understand that ozz ~.A.paril 13, 2tl l i, the .4.rizona Department of Health Services fzled rules implementing the Axizo~,a, Medical M&rijuana Act (AIv~A}, passed by Arixvn& voters on November 2, 2a1 D. The Department of~ealth Services rules create a regidatory scheme for the distribution afmarijpa~a for medical use, including ~. system fog appxvving, ~ renewing, aaci revoking regis#radon. for. quali~yix-,g patients, care givers, aonpro~it dispensaries, and dispensary agents, ~ era vv~riting this letter ~ response to numerous iu~tq~liries anal to ensure there 7s no cAsidm regardisag the Depazt~onent of Justice's view of such a ^regul8tory Scheme. Tlzc i7epartmentlzas advised cvz~szstendy tlxax Congress has determined t13at marijuana zs a: controlled substance, placing it in. Schedule l of the Controlled Substs~dces A.at (CSA.}. That means growing, distributing, and possessing marijuana is ~y capacity, other tlxan as part of a federally authax3zec1 research pragrara:, ~ a violation a£fedezal law regardless of state laws thatpurport to permit such activities. As h~ been the case for decades, the prasecu~iorl of indieid-rals a:nd organizations involved in tl~e tt'ade of illegal drugs az~d dze disr~taox~ of illegal drug manuf'actz~xing and tra#~clring networks, is a: craze priority nftbe Department of 3ustice. 'l~ae United States Attorney's Oi~.ce for the District af,Arizona. ("tlae USAD") will continue to vigorously prosecute individuals and ~organi zati,ons ihatpariieaipate in ~anlawf'nl nnan.~faing, distribution and marketing activity itlvolvingz~rijuana, evenif suclzactvities arepexmittedunder site law. Ati C~ctnlser, 2Q09, maiaxnrandutra :From then Deputy A.ttomey Gene~l Qgden pzavided guidance that, ixl districts wl;eXe a state had euaeted medics maXl1tyaua p~rogrems, I~ISAQs ought nvt Focus tlxeir lz~nitsd resources axe those seziously ill individuals vvho use mariau~oa as part of a lxle~.icallyxeco~terrded treat:gae~,t regi;aae;n. and are in clear and unambiguaaus coriapliance with such state laws. ~ynd, as has been our paliey, this USA.O will continue to follow tha# guidance. Tfie public sllauld ~xuderstand, however, #hat even cleax aid nhigunus compliance with AMA does not x+exzdex possession or discr;.lon o£matYj ~taaa lawful under federal. StRttit4. Moreover, xlie CSA.:rnay lee vigorously enforced against those individuals sad. entities wlzv operate large marijuana production faezlities. Fadividaals and org~aoizatioxas -~ including property owr-ers, landlords, 0611512008 05:07 57.87354p78 PAGE 18!35 I.,et#er to Director WiSI Humble Nray 2, 20l l Page 2 and iznanciexs , that ~owingly, facilitate the actions of trafftalEerS also should know that compliance with .AMMr~. will not protect them txom federal csmnnal pmsecat%on, asset farfeittxre anal other civil penalties_ This co~opliance with Arizona laws and zcgulatians does aot provide a safe harbar,~naz imrgtuaii'ty Exam, fedexl prose~ztaon. The CJSAO also bas xeceived inquarles about our. approach to AMNIA io Tiau Coc~atty, wbtch coztapa~ises neaxly one thud of the land ar-d live percent nftiae population afArizona,~and in wbicb. state ISw - iz~cl~uding AMM,A - is largely inapplicable. 'I'!~e USAO ctnrerltly has exclusive felony jarisdictiaxt over c~+Zg clcing aff~ses in Indian Country. Individuals ar organizaxiox-.s tlxat grow, d"zstribu'te or possess marijuana ara feclerail or tribal lauds will do so in violation of federal law, and may be subject to federal pxosecution, rto ~xxattex what tlxe quantity of marijuana. 'X1~e USAO will cvxktin.~,e to evaluate marijuana. prosecutions in Indian, Countrry and on federal lamas on ~a case-by-aase basis. Individuals possessing or ira~"tcldng msriiusna i~ Itxdi~, Country also may be subject to tribal penalties. i hope that this letter assists the Department of Health Sezvaees and potential xegistrants in n~,alcing imfarmed choices, regarding the possession, ct~Itivatiozi, raanufactcrzng, and distribution of medical marijuana. i~acerely yo ~~ DET~TNI~ K. BU'R KF United States Attorney District of Arizona 05f7.6f2008 0J: 07 57.87354078 f'AG~ 19139 • .•_.ti yh _.. ~:~., . r . ~,~ ~~y M1- ~~ SAN!] U.~. Depart tent of Justice ~Trritec~' ~'tc~tes 14 ttarreey ~• Disirfc# of.~wde.Island kteet Caesar' (443) 7d9ti500D 513 YGam~dy , $~ F1o(u' FAX (A01) 709-500] Frorvidroc~., Rhodo Isl®d 02903 A~3=1~. Zvi ~~~.~ The Honorable Lincoln D. G',~afee Governor a€ the State of 13hode ~lslaz-d. 222 State kIpuse ~ • 7~ravj,dex~ae, RI 02503--3.3,96 Re:e N7ed3.Gal Marijnans, Dear Governer Chafes. I write regarding the Rhode Island ~paztment of Health's recent notitiaatiOm to three Rla,pde Is3.and ~.titie~s, the ~hamas C. Slater Compassion Center. Ixa,a., the Summit Medical Ca~mpassio3'i Center, Inc., and the Greenleaf compassionate Care Center, I1~c., that their applications to ~aperate medical marijuana "compassion cen~exs" ]save beeaa appro~red g,.txsuan't to the Edward a _ ~ia~aki.n6 acad. Thomas C, Sla-taz Medical Marijuana Act, R.I.G.L. Z1-2B.6~I, Gt >se~. (the Act}. Zt xE my understanding that -each of 'terse three ent~.tiea new ~ await the iss:Sa.nce of a "regxst"ratiaa eerti€iaate" by t.~xe Department a€ Healt~i authorizing their ope:rat9.on. ~ ~ ~ . I na+w wri'Y.~ tC ensure ghat there is >~a canfu~iox3. ~garriing the Cited States T]epa~tnaent of justice t-s view o~ State-sanctioned schemes tkrat• purport to regulate the manttfactux~e and distrib~tia~2 of medical mari j uar~a . his the Fepartme3st has stated on many occasions, Congress has' determined that marijuana is a controlled r3ubstance. CCSa3.g]ress placed ma.rz~uar{a in Schedule .2 of the Cs~zatxollad Subs~tat5,ees Ac't (GSA) and, a.s such, grov~ing, d~.stributing, -and possessi~ug marijuana in Dray capacity, akher than as part of a federally authorized research pxagxam, is a xriblatic~n of fedsvral lao~r regardless of ••state iarvs pexutitting such aCtiV'ities. . The prosecution of iia.d~.v-iduals and OY'~8Y11S1t1an~ 7.alval~ved 3.E the . trade of auy i13.egal ~drzzg's and the disrexption of drug traff~.ckixkg nrg'azaa.zat~.ans is $ core przarit~r of the 77epaxtmen'~ of ~7v.Stice. I`hiS core pr~,oxity includes the prasectat~.an of ~~ousfraese entex~pxXecns that 06/16/2008 09:07 51.87354078 PAGE 20139 'The Honpra~~~ LiriCbin D_ CkB.fee '~2- April 2~, 203.1 unlawful.7.y market and se~.1 marijuana_ Acnarda.ngly, while tb,e ~epartmexzt of J'ustiCe does nq#. foCUe its limited resources on seriously i11 iz~.dividuals srho use marijuana as part o~ a medicall~r recommended treattae~at x'egitrten in co~apliance w~.th state law as stated in the Qataber 2609 McT~.oraSZdum of peputy Attorney Genelal FYavid ogcien, the ~epasttpent of Justice sna,iatains the authority to enforce the GSA . vigorons~.y agaa.nst individuaiH and organi,zati.ane that partzcipat.a in ualawful manufacturiz3.g and diatributioi~. activity invo3.v'ing ~nariju,aha, even. if such activit~,es ,are permitted ,order ~tata 3.a4r. 'Fbe Departtt}ept's investigative ar7.d prasecutaxial resources will eputinue to be directed toward these objectives. Consistent with federa7,• lavr, the Depa.x~tment of ~]V.stice maintains the authority to ;n~rsu.e CrimYnal and/or civil actions far any C.SA vio3ations whenever the pepartment ciet.ermirses that such legal actign is waxxanted_ Th3,s.includes, but is not limited to, antions to enforce the crimix~ai provisions Csf the SSA, such as: - 21 fJ.S.C, ~ 641 (making it xl~.ega1 to manufacture, distribute, ox pcsssess with intent to distribute any car~trollad su]astanoe, incluc).1r~g maxiluana); . - 2~, U.S.C. ~ 856 (making 3,t vnlawfttl. to knowittgly open, lease, rent, maintain, or use px`oAertY for the ma~~zfacturizlg! storing, on distzibution of cantrolled•aubstances); -~ 21. U,S.C. ~ $50 {Making it, un,].awful t,o clist~abute or manufacture cantrolZed su]~stanaes wi,Chiri 1, 6Q0 feet of schools, cP1l.eges, playground, a:od publi^ housing facia.ities, and ~rithin ZO6 feet of any'youth neuters, pt~bl~,c swS.mmiag polls, and video arcade facilities} ; -. 2]. V.S.C. § Ba3 {making 3t tu3l~.wfu1 to 115~~anY cammunicata.on faci~.ity to carntait felony . vi.olatxone of .the CSI+s') ;. ana - ~1 t7. S. C. ~ 846 (snaking it illegal to conspire to commit any c+f the crimes set fortis ~.n •the CSA). xn addit~,gn, federal money laundera.ng and re~.ated statutes wZzich prohibit a. variety of differexat types of fi~sanaial activity iuvolvixag the movement of drug ~szpeeeds may Likewise be vtila~ed. The g~verzaa~eAt may a7.sa pursue civil in7e~ctiana, and the forfeiture df drug proceeds, property traceable .ta e'~.ch Px'oooeGls, and property used ta' faai7.~,tate dsvr~ '+ria7.ations _ The Act, the registratioxi scls~me it p+trts to' ~uthvrixe, and tl~e anticipated opesatian of t14e ttree centers appear to permit large- 06/1612008 09:07 5187354078 PAGE 21/39 ~.'he Honorable ~i,incols~. D. Chafee -3- April 29, 2b11 scale marijuana cul.tivatian an@ distribution_ Such conduct is cQntr~~r to fedexa1 law ar~d thus r undermimes 'the federal ~avemmF!rrt'' g efforts to regz~,late the passessio~z, manufacturirxg. arxc3. trafficking of controlled su?~stan.ceS. Accarding],y, ~e ~3epartment v~ ~'ustice could aonsidex civil. and crirni~nal 3.ega1 remedies against those i.~zdividua7.s and erititie~ mho set up m~xijuana grpwix~g faeil.itie8 and dispex~,saries as suc~i actions are iri. ~r~olatiaa of federacl law. Others who knowingly facilitate those isiciividuals and entities who set up mar~.jt~ growing facila.ties az~d dispensaries, including properCy awlxers, las}dlord,s, and financiers, should also know that their Ca7cidtict violates federal law. Potantial.aCtians the i3epartment of ~7ustice cOUld consider include irsj'uxlCtive act.kfaas to prevent cultiva,tiol3 and distribution of marijuana and rsther associated violations of the CsA; airs..}. fines; cri~iAal prosecution; seizure of the Controlled substances and seizure and forfeiture of azxy personal ~ and real property used to facilitate the px`gductzoxt at'id distri.b+utxori of controlled sulstances, or that is derived fxam a w~i.olatian bf the C$A. As the Attoxxxey General of the 'OYziced states has repeatedly staffed, the Depar'tmeAt of ~ust~-ce remains fXrtrt7.y camznitted to enfe~xcizag the ~C;S,A in all states. I hope this letter prav~.C~s clarificatxotx cad assists the State of Rhode Ys7,aud as~d its potential Xicensees a,xa. tttak~.ng izzfarmed decisions regarding the cu1.-Civstian, manufacture, and distribution of zarijuana, as wel3, &s relate: financial ts-ansactitans _ Sirtaere Peter F. Neronha United States Attorney cc: Mich~-cl Fine. M_D_, rz-teriitl rirector, Rhode ZS~,d~,d nepaltmen~ of Haaltk Gerald ~'. A4cGra+a, ,3r., 3'hvmas C. Sldte7e Gamps,ssion Center. Tsio_ A~.an s. weitberg, Td.73.. Summit Mecli.Cal CzKnpassian Center, Inc. S~t1a Back Gxesnlsaf CampaaaiouaCe Cbse CsanCer, 5~c, ' 06f 16f 2008 09:07 5187354078 PAGE 22f 39 ~~J! , 4 ~~{j ~/~i FY F,~~',`'~~~'11~~~e~ *rf `~1f/'~rT} ~'/~3~ /.y~ {/^~r j ~~Y /v! i ~F`i 11.1i~i i~ ~i LM V i/ Y.~~.~. +~ ~/ ~Q~tn w. Su#~IEZS April 26, 2011 GovernOx ]olux Hickenloopcr Colorado State Capitol 1Vlcmbers ofthe Colorado GenezaI Assembly Colorado State Capital Re: liederal $nforcement of Marijuana I.a~rs . 1.)eaz Governor Hickenlooper arfd Members of the Colorado General Asserrtl•-ly: I fees compelled to advise you of recent developments in regard 'to the federal law enfarcerx~ent position regarding medical marijuana. . As you are awaze, in. L?ctober Of 2009 the U.S. Departtxient of ]ustice issued a nterno to federal Iavv enforcement (the "t3gden rtzemo")indicating that, while manufacturing, possession and distribution of marijuana was a violation of federal law, the department would not employ its resources to pursue inclivicluals acting in strict compliance with state medical marijuana laws. Since the Ogden me~n;a vuas issued several states. including Colorado, have enacted medical marijuana regt~latary Schemes chat have resulted in explosive growth in tl~e number a#' persons olazm'sng to be using maz~je~~a for medical purposes. ~ Colorado for example, there are now approximately I23,000 registered racdxca] marijuana patients. fSs a result, the llbJ, through Various 1.lrtited States Attorneys, has responded to inquiries in order to clarify the scope ofthe Ogden mono. I am enclosxttg topics of several such letters, including a letter w me franc 3ohz~ ~alsla, the United States Attorney for the District of Colorado. '1'liese letters indicate~that while the Department of Justice wit! trot focus its limited resources ott scrioasly ill individuals ~vho use marijuana as part of a medically recommended ixcatrrtcnt rsgi3nen in , compliance ~vzth state law, it axes maintain its full authority to vigorously~enlorce federal law against individuals and orgazuzations that participatd in unlawful mantlfacturirzg and distrihution activity involving marijuana, even ifsi~ch activities art ,pernaitted under srat~ law. Of great concern is the feet that sonic of the letters rnalce clear the LT.S_ Attorneys do riot consider state employees wiao cozrduct activities under state medical marijuana iaw~s to be immune from Inability under federal law. State Services $uilding • 1573 Shernnan Str~et~-7~ Flaar•• penv~r. Calozada 8(?2a3 FhoRe (303) 86fr35a7 • FAJC (3~3) SF6-4745 6611612008 09:07 5187354078 PAG£ 23133 Governor Hacko~olc~per, Geaerai fii,ssembFy April ~6, 201 i Wage 2 The letter fraxn. U.S. A.ttprz~ey Walsh, in aclditiaz~ to sharing the Viewpoint afthe other Lt.S. ,Attorneys.a$outche legality of grew Operations and dispensaries, elaborates ou his specific concerns regardirl~ Colorado klause Bill 1043, currently per~dir~, in the Gen:ex~ Assembly. Because t1ZiS clarification of the Ogden memo raises si,gni~c2,t1t issues regarding Ehe medical marijuana regulatory scheme enacted by the Colorado Cxezzeral Assembly in 2010 (which leas resulted in vciiclespread manufacture and distributzan ol`medical marijuana in Colorado) and issues regarding currently pending legislation, I wanted. tv ensure that you were znadc aware of these dcvalopmcnts as soar, as possible. Sincerely, F1N 'W. SUTHFRS Colazada Attcn~-ey General Enclosures c: boxy Huber, 1/xeeuti~ve Director, Departxner~t of Revenue Dr_ Christopher E. Urbir~a, Executive Director, C17PHE 0611512008 05:07 5187354078 PAGE 24139 /';"`'~, r. r:~~ ,~~~'' j: ~; . ~~ JoI~ ~tbezs At#arney GeA.exal ,State of Colorado i52S Sherman ~., 7s' moor T)enver, C;Q 8~2t),3 Tear Attorney GC;aeral Sut#~.ers: 1'3.x. A~PA1txME?VT ~~ JUS~C~ John F Walsh Unir~d Sfates~ttorney District of Calarcu3'a 1235 Savar~taeadh ~rre¢ 3~rte 700 303-4S4-OlUO Sevm~esr~thSbaetPkmx {Fi1.Y~ 303~d5~-04110 ,i)carver~ Colorado SDZOZ Apri12,6, 2411 T am wxitYng ~ response to ~ratu z+~quest for cIarificatian of tlxe positio~u of the U.S. T?epartxa~.t of Justice (tlie "Aepar#ment'~ with respect #o activities that wdrdd be licensed or ot]xerwise pemutted ~cler the terms of pending Hduse ~iJ11043 .zn.the Colorado Csenetal Assembly. T have ccxssulted vritb. the Attorney Qeneral cf Clxo Wrdted States. and thhe Deputy ~.ttomey t:xenoral of 1~a United States about thus hilt, and vnrzte to ensure Il~.t there is nd . . ca:td'usion as to fire I]aparkme~'s views o;a such activities. As tb,$ Iae~art~neut Iaas noted un many pzier occasiarts, fhe Caz~.gxess of the United States has deiem~ed tl~atxCiarijaarta.is a controlled sulcc, and bas placed xnarijSlRr1R cn~Scbedtxle X oftlie Controlled Substances Act (CSA}. Federal lawn render "fide 2l ofthe UnlEeci 5taties Coda, Se<:tion 841, prohibits th,e,naa~;ufa~, distCibei#iaxx ax possess:io~ twifh intent to distrIb~ aqy . controlled sui~stance, in:cXud%txg atarijgaoa, except as ~grovided under tht strFCt coutrcl pravisxans ofth~ CSA. 'T'itle 2.1, Section $S6 makes it a ~edexal crime to Tease, reaz# ar rnsisrtalsa. a ptace i'ox trtte purpose of manufacturing, distrib~,g or using a rantrq)lexl substance. Title 21, Seotian 84G z~aJscs it a fecierai crime tv conspire tq commit that cricr~,e, 4r any offer a ua~er the CSA. Title 18, Section 2 z~aalces it a #edexal c~izue to aid cad abet fI~ c~uunission of a fectenal axume. NMo~redwer, federal anti xaorxey laundeg statutes, including 7f tle 1.$, $ectiort I95ti, make illegal cettaztt tiuancial transactions desigpetl to promote illegal activities, including drag tra~ckx~lg, dr to eanceat or disgeise the sauxce ofthe ptocceds of that illvgul activity. Title 1 S, Section 1957, makes it illegal to elagage ig a~a~Cial transaction zrxvolviug tr;axe tbaa $14,~0(z in crin~inai pr.aceeds. ~ . In Qctober 2009, the x3epartrnent issued g~dance (t3~e "G*~Cien Momo'~ 2a U.S. Attvrmeys around the country in states with laws autborizi~ the use of;aaaclju~ua for medical purposes 06/1C/2008 03:07 5187354078 PAGE 25189 3bhn ~thexs April 26, 2011 Page 2 under state law. At the time the Ogden lVleyona issued,.Colorado law, aad specifically, . Arr~eadrnent 20 to rile Colorado Constitution, autbarixed the possession ofoztly very limited aznotaats o~murijuaaa far medical purposes by individuals wittr sc~ous lll~sses and those who care for them. As rei.t~rated in tlae Ogden mearto, tl~e praseczztictzx ofixxdivid>fals and organizations involved in the trade of amy ~feg~l drugs arzd the disrtr~tian, of drug traf$cking organzzakoas is a core pzYOrt#y o#'tlie ~Ueparttuexzt, "1:'hi5 acre priority includes pxosecuiion, of business ent~p,~es that unlawFully market and sell marijzieua. Accordingly, ~ilc the 1~artrrtent does tzot focus its limited resources on striottSly i}l ia~lividvals who use marijuana as ' park of a anedicalIy recc+zrtxtezzded treatmea~E regimen in coxapliaace with stare law as stated iu the ~ . Dgdezz Metnct, we rnalntain size authority to enforce the CSA rigorously age individuals and ~ . orgaruzatioAS that participate in zmlawfu{ rz}anrxfacturingand distrihu#ianactivity invrtlving marijuana, even if sash activities az~e permi#ed uzzder state Iaw. ~'he I?epartr,~exZt's investigative, ' arld pxosecutorial resources wilt contitxue fi be directtd tovvazd t$ese objectives. ~ ~ . ~ ~ i ];t is Well settled that a Stag trot autltoxYxe'viOIatioxzs offederal law. ~'he IJ~pited States ~ District Court far the district of Cbloxado recently reaf~"trzrted fists fuz7,d8]rlental principle ttf our _~ federal constit<stional system in. flMitedSt~tes v Bartkawfez, No. l0-cr-003 3~-I'AB {D. Cola. 2f314), wlzerz i# held that COI4Xad(7 state law nn need{caI maTljl~z doers riot and casxnot alter federal l~vv's prolubxtion on the ~auufacture, distzibnttian or possession of xz~i~uassa, ar provide a defense to Irmseoution nudes federal law for such ac~vities. 'l }ze provisions of CoIo~do douse lei!! 1 d}43, if enacted, would permit under slate la~p+r Conduct that is contrary to federal law, and would tlxxeatea the abi4ity of rise United States governnsent to regulate passesszan, mamsffleturing and tzaffieldng in canfmlled substances, irz~ludizzg marljua~. First, provisions of a proposed medical mari,~uans. in'~estment finxd arr~eradznent to H.~. it1,43, wlsicfi uttimately dzd not p ixs the Caiorsdo House but which apparently may be reintroduced as an atxzendroent in the Colorado Senate, appear to co~ateznplate that the State df Colorado would liccazse a znarljuana, inveStrdpst fend or funds tattler which both Colorado and ont-vf state investors rovould best in commEetuial maxi jug oper~.tions. The Departznezst would consider civil acid oximinal legal remedies regarding thost vvho invest in ~tlr~ psxsduction of ztsaxijuana, wlsiclz is in violation of federal law, evert if the invesmzertt is made in a ` state-licensed fnnd of t>se 1~ind proposed. Second, t]ae terms af,H.B, l 043 wastld autlori~e Colorado state licensing of "rzfedical marijuana i~fnsed product" facilities wry up to 504 marijuana plants, with rise possibility of licensing eveix largex facilities, with no stated munber lirbit, with a state-granted waiver based upon consideration of br~pad fetters such a$ "buslr~ess pared." Sinxilaaly, the I]epa~tent would consider civil actions and criminal ltrosec>stion regarding flsosc whn set up nsarijtn growing facilities anal dispensaries, as vvel] as ptape3rty awraers, as tlrey •vvill be actissg izz violation of f«lcral law. ' ~ P~~ by Cotarado voters in 2004, AmendulCat 2Q made iavrfui uridcr Co{nrada law rite gossesaiop, ley a ' patiept Or caregivez of pafient 4f "inla more than two ou4cfis ai a usesble form oi'marijtt$tia or 7w more than sex marijuana plants with wee or fewer being matart, flowering plants producing & usable forsra Gf marijuana," Colo, eansc art. X'VTAi, § tF4(d)(s). Wiihnx chase lerreiL, the ~imendxneat attthorixed a tnedagl atatij~.tis "affirataove defense"'!o state trnniuai prosecution fol'pOSSSSS{oxl of marijuana. Colo. Const_ art J~UTIl, § t4(2~(a),.ro?• . 06f16f2008 09:07 5187354078 PAGE 26f39 rahn Su~.ers .A.Arit 25, 2(311 Paga 3 As the .A.ttomey Cxensxa] has repeatedly statul, the department of 7ustlca ie;~s firmly comrmi~ed #o enforcing the federal lativ sud the Controlled ~ul~stances t3,ct in all states. 'l'hus, if tkte provxsivns of H.B.1(~3 are enacted and bec~xSte law, t3~a Depart~cnt~vvill continue to carefully cansidcr all appropxiatc civil and erinxinal legal reanediss to prevent maae~facture and distrihutiop of rnarijuat~a and aEher assoczsted violations af#'edexsl law, including injunc#ive sctions;.czvil penalties; cnizuix~l prosecution; and Sze fazfeiture of an~.property used #o.facilitate a violation of federal la'crr, including the Controlled Snlxstances A,ct. T hapc #his latter provides #be clari~icauvtt yorr have reguestcd, and assists tb.c State of Colorado and zts paten#ial 3xcez3sees in ma]flng ir~ormed decisions regari3~g the cultivation, manufacture, and disrzib~ation of marijuana, as well as related. financial traasaetipns. yp ;. • Hl`I l+. ~JAf.SI:T ~ . . ~ sited Stares Attamey ' l~isirid of ~alorado cc. Eric Holdex, Attorney General of the United States ranges Cole, Deputy Attorney General of dte United States 0611612008 09:07 b187354078 PAGE 27139 ,. ~.l.S. Departrn~aat o£ ~erstice -United S~ntes Attorney ,A ~ T.l iatrict of Mo1~tc~tta . tdICFiJ~I.1~K Ca'P't'LR 90l Front 3traat•8oit~ IiOD t08-~b7d1¢0 Uaiced srtn, ~turney Helena. Monlaxu &4x29 Apri! 20; 20~.k• Senator jim l?ekerson, Senate President Representative Mike Milburn, Speaker of the mouse of Representattives' Pt713ax Z0050p ~ . Helena, Montana 595243•t)50a Gent! emcn: '1•his acknowledgGS receipt of your letter slated April 18, 20I l', requesting Department of Justica guidance conxrlling a proposed regulatory scheme by the Montgna Legislature For the use of ~~3 and rnarijuarta infused products far therapeutic purposes. While the L7eptlttmtnt of Justice has nc+t'reviewed the specific lcgislativc proposal ~^r licensing and reguiatirlg medical marijuana that you indicate is being 5nalixecl, the Department iras stated orl trlany occasions that Congress placed marijtutnn in SCltedllle I ofille ContraIled Substances Act (CSA) aud, as such} growing, distributing, and possessing rrlarljuarta in any capacity, other than as part of a federally afatltorized research program, is a violation of fetters! law regardless of state la'~vs that purport to permit such activities. The proseclttion o£ itldiv;duals and organirati+sns involvedIn the trade of any illcgai drugs and the disruption of drag ttdt~lcking organizations is s c^Se priority of flit I~eparirz~ent, "1`his wrc priority includes prosecution of business enterprises that ttl:lswl'ttlly rnarlcet and sell marijuana. While the Department generally does not focus its litr~ited resources on seriously ill indkviduats who use marijuana as part of s rltedic$lly recarzuYZended tTtatrncnt Xe$irrien consistent v.7th applicable state law, as stated ixt the October 2009 Ogclcn Memoraudturz, we maintain the authority to enforce dte CSA against irxdividuals and. orgmti~tiorls that participate in unl~wfrtl manufacturing and distribution activity involving marijtsstla; even it'such activities arc permitted under state laver. The DepsrtmenYs investigative and prdsecutarial resources will coiztinue to be directed toward These objectives.' 06116!2008 09:07 fi187354078 ~~ April 2t3, 2011 ~~e 2 Hopefully this tatter assists the Mor~& Leg45lature i;a rnt~king its decisions regarding the cultivation, manufacture &ud distribution of m~ri~uana. ' Sincerelq, Mithaei W.'Cotter 1Jnited States ACtdrney PAGE 28139 06f16f2008 09:07 518754078 PAGE 29f39 U.$. matt af,~uanl~ae ~~~ Ud,~rrs*dsroraep Eartera2~isMae ~`JI'arhArg~vs ~1odta3f07.~IrafayttR ~ (sG~sxr-r67 P. 0.&x7491 t~~[~A}ds~27k6 ' ~Y~ 910 2194 ~o:b1e CluistiYte Grega®e l4, ~~11 wa$h~gtan State C~ P.O. Boar ~00~~ Olympia, w~ 985~Q4-0OOZ lie: Medical Manijugma Legislativo Proposals .lam Fable Gwetnor Gregoire: we wm+e is ~ bo yoar let#er daaed Apail 13, ?.I~1.1, sec ~ the At~omey ~ea~ ao+c11 our two Qfficea ~ t~hcp~c~a1 etl~ect of the ~ qtly amsitle~ hS'tl~ wad mate ire txmcemin~ zc~l mgt. We that tl-e proposals being consi~red ~ woakl ~ a licensing scheme fiaor ~ grQVVers sad des, and. Ettrpo=s ~'ma~ijaana-iced foods suaong otlrar pze~asts. Wa ha~'e consaited wif~1. the Attome~- Gon~eral sad tls~lrty AtUomey General a the proposed legisla4i~an„ This f is watt~.t~s ensure there ~ no cq~on regarding the Dot of Juslat;e's view q#`swch a lices~snag srluame. As the Depart his armed on man~.oons, Congress hes d that mariijuana. is a usatrollgd ~: ~on~ceess placed ~&rsjnsma ~ Schr~nla ,l ctf the ('•azttrrlled maces Act (CSA~ ~, ~ ~+ ~ ~ P8 ~] ~ ~ cspaciry, other'thar- as part of ~ federally sr~.ed re.sespmgt'atQ, is a vioIat~ of fetl~al Iaw r~srdless of law's per7stittir-~ such ~Ctiv~, The proser~ian of ~ atttt owns iavolveri iri the t7ade of nny ~gnl drug and the disruption o€ drug t~"sclrin8 ~~ la ~ cave pripriiy ol'tlte ~~' This core pxxna~.y inchulea pion of incsir enfiergr~ea that ~awfiilly. jmd sell ~J- ~--'~'~ ate Depaz#nent does not ~vcus ,its li~6ed resa~cces aoQ seriously ill iudivi~sls who as~e mariju~a as pact of s medi~ly recomme~ed in compliurace with state law as m the bctol~r 2t~9 Ogden ~~, we tnamCaia titic autho€ii}r ba ~t#'arve the SSA vigora~ip against iadlaiduals and osgaa~s that ate in unlawful uag encl. distn'lwtigat a~vitl- in^c-alviag Via, even if'sgch act%v~ies aae peamittrd t afore law. '~ Des ~ve.Qe and pt`aal xnces ~v71 to b0 diraded tawffid #hese obgeciives. . 06!1512008 09:07 5187354078 PAGE 30/38 Honorable C.'hrisdue CsFegaitC April f ~, ~Qk 1 Page 2 CQASt wltll ~ l&W, t1aC Dee~t mans tl~e atu~larity to ism criminal sir eiiv'il actia~ns for any tA. violations whe~vpr the Ucpgtti~ent ~i»es tl~t such leg$i anion is rverraute~. T~s iacludes, but iS not limited Eo, 8c~ion&'ta enfo~ the cri~si pz~ovi8ibr-8 of the G'SA sgc>a xs: - 21 U.S.C. § 841 (mal~g it ille~l to m~ufacmre, distribute, ar possess with intent to note X13` cantraIled SWf8tance inehidiag a~ottijtt~n~}; - Z 1 U.S.G. § 856 (mal®~ it u~lawhtl to kn+awit181y ppen, lease, rcpt, min, or s1SG pTppCrly far the Wig, storing, ar disknbution of coatrolleci des). 21 U.S.C..§ SGil (malting it unlawFvl to distr~te ~ manu~cture eontrallod ~bgtaaces withia I,QpO feet of sah#ols, colleges., playgro~mcls. aad public honsir-g fac~ilx#ies, aa~d wit}ria lt)o feet of any youth ~ public swimming gaols, attd vide at+cadc fasailities); 21 U.S,C. §843 ~8 it tmlaw£nl. to uac.any conmm~icatioa facility to carnrnit felony vialat3ons a€ the CSA); and 21 U.S.C. § ~8as (x~taici:ng it illr~al ~ co~aspsre to commit any of IIYC Crimes set fartlx fn the C~A)_ m argon, pedeaa1 tnon~ey lag east related statutes which gtahsbat a variety of di~erem types of Smancisl activity involviQg fhe mar~rsztent s-f dm$ proc~ds may'lilae~'ise be utilized. ',1'1tC Gnvernmeflt may else prtrsue ~ inj~tmctions, and the £ri~itt~re of proceed, P~~S' traceable to such procoods, at~d pmpetty used bo facilitate drug violations. Tl~ wasl-imgwn 1c~islstivo ~iropasals will crew a la~i~ scheme that lgrge-scale marijt~a c~ultlvafio~t and ~dn. 'mss wonkl a~~rr~e candtrct cagy tp federal lave a,ad alms, would tmdermitYt tlu+ fi~deral. gove~mept's efforts W tCgulate 111e . ~~a, Wig, and tra~clc~g of cowtolled substancx~s. Aa:ord~ngly, the l3epa~7ent C0131C1 CO1~Sid~"r C1V3+1 ~ legal remedies Y'C$8i ti~sa wbao Set ~ marijuana grpwiug facilities aad dispensaries a& they will be cluing so in violatioanc of federal law: Cttfiers who lmowingly ~ the actions of tlm licensees, including prOper#,Y owgelta, lartdla3'ds, and fTnaa7CiGrs should also ~atP that tI19]r' c;andttc~ vials#es~ federal law, lt~. addme#~, ~~ ~,9oyees who co~xcbsd€ actives mandated by tlta washingtan legista~va propos$ls would not be irnrAUnc from liability 3mder the C3}#. Pohl actions tiic Uepartm~t could com~ider include ~j~urmtive actions tQ pn•vea~f cultivation and di8t1737uti0n of marijuana, ~d otl~r associated violataaaas of fk~C CSA; civil des; c~rriuaia0al pznsccu#ion; and the forf~iRtre of afxy 06!3.6/2008 09.07 5187354078 PACE 31139 Hnnorab~ G'hrislu~ Qt+r,~oi~e App 14y2Qi1 prap~r~.y n~ ~ ~ a n of 1~e GSA, 1l~s t~ Atta~y ~i ~ ~-' ~ tea t of woe ~mly itt~~o ~ GSA ia. ~Il . ~1Ve hepe this 1~ea ~ of Wad potc.ataal li~sees.en decisipps sag ~, ~ ~ ~ o~mm~~e. ~f ``~VerY~p~°~' ~J' J _ ~ ~ I~dssel C. b~ A~ [~ Sim ~e Diamic~ o~"~~ingtan ~ Dim of~K~Oao. 0611612008 09:07 5187364078 PRCE 32139 • ' EXFIIBIT 'k • ~6 CHR~STtNE O- GRECOlR~ ' Gavemor srnrb aF wASi~~iVCrC~n~ QFFlCE .QF THE ~~VERN~~ P.D. Sox 4QD02 • ENympia, Washington 98511J-Q(~Oft • l3S0) ~'S3.6T8~ + www.governarwagpv A~ IJy LOl l The I'Ionorable Eric Hold~c Attarne^y Ge~al of the XTxxrted. Steles U.S. D~ of hxstive 9S0 Pennsylrr~nia Avenue,lV'~V Washngtum, DC 20530-000 i Dear Attorney Creaerai Holder: This letter rem written guidance on the Dint of Justice's p~tit~ ox- went ~£ tha C.oafralled. Substs 31st if state law were to estabilsh a ~ system wherein sta6a officials lip persons to dispense, pz~lriee, and process marihuana far tnedirnl. it.~e by l?~~- By ^cu~a.5+ of back, in 199$ the voters o£ihC state a£ Washington wed that ~tienta Wltil ~ ~ ~~31~1i# ~~ undea their p~S1C1~fLaS care, whA 10luty ~~ fi~iin the use of medical inarij amts, would zwt be guilty of a crinme under she law far their ~ axxd linnlted use of mari~tuina. ~ It as oaf ~ #!z$t tip~e ~ of Justice does nat focus its ~auraes an indi^~duals who use xt~ilu~a as part cr£at recoa~eat treatm~t rcgi in compliance with state law, as outlined in as t7ctober Z00~ ~ fro~tn Dep~y t~n~al Dgdsn.. The ~Vashirtgtozx ~,cancerz<ed with a lacy of suff~i~cut a~d• safe supgl~- of medical marijuana, l~ umler considc~tian Engrasse~d Second. Substyt~re ~.aie Bill 5(133.• Tb~is legisla~an would pfcsvide for the £leprts~of health and ~ to lx persons to ~P~`~ F~ ~ 1 c~nnabls for medical use. Licensed dispe~sets `~+ou]d sel~t, measure, package, and label ~ fox' d~var~ ar retail sale to a'gualifYing pat~at or desiguateei provides. iicenaed pmcesso~s woz~ld ~~re, p,~+acess, handle, at,d b3he1 carmabis pr~cts for wb~olesale Qn to lirenseQ. dis~.sers. Licemseti piaadu~cerawould pZOducc ca~abis far rnedicsl use for wbal~e dista'~taoa to licra~cd disposers a~ licensed processors ofcannabis pibducts: Tn meant r3ays I have been. m. contact with the Uxtited States Attorneys far the Wext astd F.astetu Districts of'9Vashiugton regarding this l~slat~. They refereed a Felmrarq 1, 201 1, latEcx tl~rt flu Uzuit~ ~ Attx~rrtey lac zhe Northr~ District of Califoima wz+ate to fire Dahl city AtWrncry m response to s Regucst ~ glddattce on ~ City o~Qaidattri Ivi~ical cacmabis f ~tivatio74 Osdimance. The I ituliC~d #hat the Dep®rq~xe~ of ~~[i,oe would a+s~e #~e C-antralied 5u tact a~inst iralividtials snd ar.ons that ~ and sell i~p%~uanta, even if such activities are Witted un~ state Iaw, oans~stetar wi#h the guidance set ~ the 2 ~~ ~ ~ At#axx~y e+~netal Ogden. 06!16!2008 09:07 5187354078 ~~ ~aiWl&b~~ liI1Ci ]'~DYdeL Ap~113, 2411 Pie ~ PAGE 33!39 Within tht ncxt weds lawmaleers~will be carimg dil~g veisior~s ty€tl~is Legislation aric! , det~nining provisions 4f staf~e law t v~ill enact ~ foam. to mt,. as C~tirremo3r, faar . apprcwaY ar disanparoval. It would be•~ery helpful to rece~-e clear l on the De}~rrment of h~stice enfairement position end. wir tl~ 2009 ~ fi~ Depu~ .~ ~ Ogden shat~ld be read to ~mlmss the a~livities would be licensed this state le~slai%cra..A1sa, it ^o~rduld be helpful ifthe guddance addressed der state~eix~ploy~ees invoked ire icspectsng the pf~.ises, ~di#ng tlxe reco~ or ca3leetiug fees f the li~ea~ed dis~ats~, ~ ax gxcoessors r~rould be fi~o~n arrest ar liabiiit~y wl~ engaged ~. the cnfarremesit of #lds k~eaxiag law. 'l~aak yQu for your assistance as we mala these important decisions. Si~c~ely, Churistine D. Gregoire Governor . cc: 3',(rn1e,17epnt.Y At#dx>l1~r ~ . 3'enny Durltan, U.S. Attorney, Westcns Duct, Was~uaagt~on State Michael. Ormsby, U.s. Atanmep, Lastexn.l~s#7ict, Washington. St~,e 0511612008 09:07 5187354078 PAGE 34139 'S; ~~•._ .~ U',~, Uepartrrie~t of Justice Urri~ed r$'fRtes Attorney District o, f'.~awuii . FJlCK F.drrof dr+r7du+g (80$1 Sl1-18sv - 30p dlo Mamra Bhd. Roar ~lOD F~rx r8vti str•a~sa JYor~6elW. He~ro~Y 96&50 . April ~.2, 2011 Jodie •F. t~+iaesalca~H3.rata, Director Department of ~zblic Safety State of I~awaii . 919 Ala ~laana $oulevsrd, 4t' Floor FFonalztlu, ~rawaii 96814 i2e Dear Ms - Maesaka-T~irata: . . 7.'his replies to ytaur ~.etter dgCed agril 6, ~~~,~,, seeking guidance Pram the~Attarney General and mfr offa.ce with xegaxds Gp 5.B_ No. 7.458, wh3.ch if enacted, wpuld establish iYr each County of th~,s state ,for a f~,ve year t~$C period ~.t .east anc °medical mariju~.na aampassion ceTlte7~" for the manufacture anel distribution of marij~uauna. tnxdex this bill, such marijuana di.strib~,tion centers licensed by the State Departmant of Public Safety, woult~ he authGrized to se11 tnari~uana within tk~e respective counties in which they are 7.c~cated. >:n additiian, the Di11 a7.so all~h4r12~g the sale~of marijuana to other c~xxegivers and »on:-re~id~z~t patients ~ris~.tizxg from other states. phis lett~z- is written td ensuze there is no confusion regarding Che Department of ~ustice~s v~.ew of Such distrkbution Centers. ~ the gepartment has said, an many prior oceasionsr C4ngxes~ has deterrni.ned t1a~a.t nt2~rijuane, is a Controlled subst~.nce.. Congress placed marijuana, in Schedule T of the controlled substances Act, 23 II,~.c. § Bo1~e~G. seq. ("CSA"3 and a~ such, growing, $istri,3auti.xig, and possessing marijuana ire any capacit1r, other tk~an as part 4f a Federally autkxaxized research program, is a ~riolation of P'edax'al law regardless of state ~.aws perma.tting such $c~ivi'~i,eS.. . Ar a way of emphasizing tie foregoing, the CSA's penalties fax' fc?,ozxy •marijuana Offenses (manufacture, 0611612008 09:67 5187354078 PAGE 35!39 3odie F. I~esa3ta-xirata Apxii 12, 2011 Page Z distribution, pQ$sessipn ws.th ~.nterrrt to distribute} shoz~ld be considered: ~1, bOQ oz, more maxi.juanzt p~.ants, or 1, aQ0 kilograms: ].Q ~rex~rs li#e imgrisozs[tent; ' -~.'~~ ox' mare marihuana plants, or 1.00 kilograms: 5 . - 4~ y®ars z~prisarunent; -50 marijuana pleats or ~noxe, or mare than 5(l kilograms : ~zp to 24 years impr.isorunent; and -Less than 50 mnrij,~ia plants, ax' less than 50 kilograms: up to 5 years imprisanme~tst. ~'ho prosccuti©nt of individuals and azgaxkizaticaxua involved in 'the tide ~~£ any f.liegal cFrugs and the disruption at t7rug tra#~icking orgas~i2a.tibns is a core przoxity og the Department. This care priority includes proseDLtt.XGns ot'l~usiness enterprz8es that ux~law~ully inairket and self, Sri Juana. xccordizxgly, while the Depm~rCmcsnt does nDt focus its limited resources on seriously ill individuals who uee mx~rsj~.na as part of a medxcttXly reCOl~mended treatment reg'xmen i,n ~ompl.ianc~, with state la+w, we m8,intain the authority to enfDroc the C3A ~v'ic~t~rou.$ly again$t' iz~dividuals akrid organiaatipns that p$rticipmtc- in uzxla~tfu~. mazzufactur3ng an~i distribution activity D# controlled substances, including max-ijuana, e•vez~ if such acta.vzt~.es are par<nitted under state 1avt. Consistent with federal laor, the Department ma.~.ritains the authority to pursue crimi:rea.l or ci~srii actions for arty C9A viola.tic~~ whene~xer the Department cTeterm~.x~es that such. Regal action is warranted. This includes, byt ig neat limited to, act~.ozxs to eniorcp f.~'ie criminal provisipr~ of the C9A such as: . -23, U.~S. C. § 84a (making ;Lt !!legal, tC manufact~xe. •distrabute, or pCS~sess with. intent to distz~,laute any cor~txolled substance incXt~ding marijuana} ; -2z U_S.C. § a56 imaking it. un~.AWtt11 to kngwix~gly open, lease, rent, ,aaa~.nta3n, or use prCpexty' fox the manufacturing, storing. ar distx'ibut3.vn.vf controlled substances); • 06115/2008 69:07 5187354078 PACE 36139 ,Jodie F. ~1~.esaka-XTirata April 12, z411 Page 3 --21 ~. S..C. ~ 860 Emaitz.ng i.t unlawful to distribute yr ntantsfactux'e corstr411ed sttbstxirices within J., 4013 feet of schoesls, colzeges~, playgrounds, and public hcuaing~ facilitiee, grid within 100 feet of any youth centers; public switruttixsg pools, and video aroade faCilxties]; -21 ~ _ S . C . $ 843 (nta~k.iztg i t 'cunlawful to rise Hily commuz».catian facility to Comm~.t felony violations of the CSA]; mod. -21 v.s.C_ ~ 8~6 ~rnaking ~.t il],egal to conspire to caEnm~.t any of tMe crimes se.t forth in the CSA} . In a$ditzosz, ~Cdsral money lautxderixsg and related statutes which prohibit a variet~r of diffcxesst type's of €ilaanG1~l act~.vity ~.nvolving the movement of drug proceeds may l,~.kewise be utilized. The GovexTUaeist trey alss~ pursue civil %n~us3Ctivl3s, axsd the forfeiture of ds~ug' proceeds, property traceable to such proceeds, and property used to facilitate dx'ug violations. This Bi7.l would excite a State•licenszng schema which pexmits the marijuana i3istri.bution center ,~.n eaaJa, County to support unlimited numbers of resident ctt7tCgivers and patients arsd non-resident patients v3,sitis^~g from other. states. As, such, this schCmC would authorize large-scale suaxi~uana matiufacture~ and. sales, which ie contrary to L~ede~'a~, law arsd threatens the 8ederal. governments efforts ~o regulate the pos~sessivn, manufaCturXng. and txaf'f3.ck.~ng 4f cantrol,~,ed substances. ,AcCOrdiz~gly, the Department i$ Cazefully ~ consic3e~ring civil arsd c:ri~trtinal legal remedies i.f this bill is Cnaeted a,nd ]aecpmea: law; with respecC La thane who seek to Create sucks marijuana diStXibut.ivn.cen~exs pursu2snt thereto. Individuals who e~.ect to o~ierrste such r~ri Juana canters will be doi,x3g so in vxcslatiaz7 pf Federal Iaw. Qt2zers who knowingly facilitate as3d assist the actions of the licensees Eincluding .property owners, Zand]:ords, ~2tnd finas~Ciers] should aXaca knOW Writ their conduct violates P'edexal law. Potent~,e,l actions the Flepartiaeztt may cons~.der include in~uncta~ve actiorss to prevent cultivatzon and. @~.stribution of marijuana anti otkier asabCi~xted violations of the •CSA; Civ~,l fines; axittsa,nal prosecution; and the forfeiture of any property used to facilitate a v3olatian of Che CSA. .A.s the Attorney C,enexal has repbatec'f1y stated, the ~e~artment of ~tetice remains firmly ca~mnztted to enforcing the CSA zrs ~.ll states . . 0611612808 09:07 5187354078 Jadie ~'. Mmesaka~I~iYtc~,z1 ~pri1 12, 211 Page ~ I kldpe kb,is ~.etter assists the State o~ Hawaii a~ potnntia~. licensees in~rnakirla~ infox-~sie8 deC~.sigr~s xagardsng the aultivetiax~, ms~szu~a,~tu~'e, smd diszribucion A~ marijuana. Vezy truly yours, ~~ R,E1+TC'~ ~ . NAKA,RIIt+~I T7niG®d States ~ttorszey PAfE 37139 06116{200$ 09:07 51$?35467$ ~'~~;,.; ~~~~-.. UnidedSY~etAero.ney , .ioltn A, Russo, ~. Oakland City Attorney . 1 l:rank Ogawa 1?laxa, 6th, Floor Oaklaurl, rai;~Farnia 94612 bear Mr. Russo: ~.5. Aepar~men# of 3u~tice ~Tia1'~d,$Ycrt~S~4ltorlrey . Northern ~hsrricl a}'C~IrfnrnYrx rr~-~1~, Fedara!&u~rab»g OSO Goldor Arocurt Spr 3Q455 Sm~ PrmrtGm, Calijgr~to 9C11~2-~Q95 PRGE 3$139 ~{rsa ea~raaa FAX:({IS} d36-72dd February 1, 201 i I write iII response ~ yaur letter dated January I4, 241 l seekx>~ guidance from the Attorney General re$ardiag the City of Oakland Medical Cannabis Cultiv2fiion Orditumce. The U.S. Depsu#ment of Jt~ce is faxnilisxr with the City's solicitation of applicarians foz pexmiSS to aperatc "ice GIs cultivatsoII ans3 manufactut'i~g facshtieS" ps~ssaas0.t to Oakland Ordinance No. 13Q~3 (Oakland Os'din~ce~ I Rave consulted with the Attorney t,.seneral and rlie Deputy Attorney General about the ~ Dcdinance. This letter is wazttefl to etasuse there is no camfitslatx zegardirtg the I3epartmez~t of justice's view of sucfa farali#les.. AS the beparhnent bas stated an many occasions, Congress has detetznined that marijtzara is a cantxolled substance. Congress placed marijuana in Schedule I afthe Controlled Substances Act (CSA} smd, as such, grouting, s3istxx~uti~a~g, and possessit~ mat:ijuatia. its any capacity, otb;er thaxs as part of a Federally aert#orized research pxogrd~tll, is a via3atiou of federal law regardless of state laws permitting soh activities. . The prosecutio;u ol'indiuids~ls axtd organizatlocs involved ir- the trade of air illegal dntgs and tb;e disritpfion of drug trafficking c~xgaai7ations is a core priority of t#xe bepactmtnt. 'T'his core paCioEirty includes prosecution ofbusiatr~ss enterprises that ~awl`ully market and sell sat,arijsia~. Accordingly, while the l•3epartment does not focus its limited s'esosgres azs vttsly rtl individuals who use tuarijxra>3a as part ofa medically recommended txeatsneaat regimen is eonSpliance with state law as stated in tht Qctober 26t?9 C7gckn Memoranidu~t, we will eflfozee the CSA vigorously again=~ individuals ztid or~izafaans t6.at parficipare zn unaawFtil irtansxfacturing and disttt-bu#o~a activity i~volwing mariju~a, cve°n if such activities are permitted under State law. The De~trneut's investigative and proseCUtarial resources Will co~npe to ~ directed toward t}~ese objectives. .. Cansiste~nt with federat ]Gar; the Department mairiR~ius the atttharity to ptusue criminal ar civil actions fot any C$A violr~ons ~enever the Depattrnent detemair~es that such, legal action. is warranted. 'llxis includes, bwt is not litnitsd to, actions to cnforpt the criminal provisions ofthe CSA such $s'1'itle 2i Section. 84i making it illegal to A~Yltlfacture, disprx'bute, or possess'wittx intent to distriirute any co~stralled subst&~xce ltaclt3ding marijuana; Title 21 Section $S6 z~akit-g it . 0611612008 03:07 518735407$ PAGE 39!39 Jahn A Russo Febntary 1, 2Q11 Page 2 tmlaw.fal to ip~;pr~viugly old 1eas~, ~, ox rase property far the nianuf~iuri#g, stoziaatg, ar distribution of controlled substances; atxd Title 21 Sectiom $4~ aruakutg it illegal to canslrire to canunit any of the comes set forth in the C3A. Laedertl ~asoney laundering and related stahrtes wi~icl- praht~sit a variety of diffexe~t types of l~nanaial activity invalvirxg rite tnav~ent of proceeds may likewise be tttiiizad. The gnvetnm~ may alsa pursue civil ittjtttzctians, and the forfeiture of drug ~, pzcyperty trade to such proceeds, and property used tp faci3.itate drug vioiat;,oac. . The Departweut xs caz~rertied xbaut the Ualclaxtc# t~rdinas<ce's creation o£a licensing scheme that permits large-scale industrial raaxijuana cultivatipn and manufacturing as it • antl~orizec conduct cox~dra3,y to federal law and thYeatecS tlae federal gnvar,~ment's e#orts to rega[ate the possession, titan~g, attd trai~cla~g of controlled substances. A.crar~#ingly, the Departto~ent is ca~ref'itl ly. eansidering civil and criminal le~l remedies regarding tlavsa who neck to setup indus47~.uE marijuana growing wareltauses in {)akiand piasuadat 1a licenses issued by ~e City of Gaklaud. Individuals vrha elect to operate "industaial cannabis cultivation. and maa~g fades" will l~; doing sn its vialatian af~'ederal laar. Ethers who knowingly facili7ate the actions of the Iiceasecs, including property owners, latxdtards, and financiezs should also imvw their crn;duct violates federal Iaw. poll actions the Acpartment is coksidezing include h~unctive actions to prevent ~cultivatien amd das~ribution of mari,~uaua. ax-d other associated violations of the CSA, civil fines; criminal prosecution;; and the forfeiture of any property used to facilitate a vialatian afthe GSA. As t>~e ~y General i~ I+ep~tCdly staters, the Dcpa~ent of J~ce remains #auml~ catnn~,itted 'W eztforairng fire CSA in ail states, Y hope this letter assists the City of Oa~aztd and potential licensees in making infornxcd decisions regazding th,e cultivation, mamifacture, and clistdbution of Inari3u~a, . Very truly yours, Melinda Haag . 1:J'nited States .Attorney Nazihern District. of California cc_ Kamala D. I-Iarris, Aitan~ey Qcncral of the Sfiate of Califorsua ' Nancy ~. O'Malley, Alameda Cautfty S~istrict Attcuney